The government has unveiled plans for the regeneration of the City Gate complex in Valletta, with works expected to transform the currently underutilised space into a fully accessible public and community-oriented area over the next two years.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday morning, Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency Jason Micallef said the building had long been neglected despite its central location at the entrance to the capital.

"This building that we are in right now was not given the attention it deserves," Micallef said, recalling that the project had first been announced in last October's budget speech by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana.

Micallef explained that while the ground floor currently hosts a significant amount of commercial activity, the upper floor remains entirely vacant.

In collaboration with the Directorate of Restoration, the agency has now developed a concept for the first phase of the project's design.

"The concept is to give it 100% to the public, to make it accessible for everyone," he said.

Plans include the installation of facilities aimed at improving accessibility for elderly people and persons with disabilities, as the current structure is not fully accessible. The regeneration project will also introduce multi-sensory rooms designed to provide free relaxation spaces for youths and families.

Open play areas for children are also being proposed, allowing parents to leave their children in supervised playrooms while running errands in the capital.

Micallef described the project as an important milestone and confirmed that it is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

Addressing the press conference, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici described the initiative as "a very important project for Valletta" that would restore dignity and life to the area surrounding the City Gate complex.

"Currently the area gives a bad impression to those who enter the city, and this is not what we want for a European capital," Bonnici said.

Bonnici said that the project goes beyond infrastructure works and represents "a new vision for an urban space," aimed at creating a calmer and more welcoming environment within the busy capital city.

Bonnici confirmed that lifts and escalators will form part of the redevelopment to ensure full accessibility regardless of age or physical ability.

He also emphasised the importance of preserving the historical character of the site throughout the regeneration process.

"I have no doubt that when this project is completed, people will say that their quality of life has improved," the Bonnici said.

The project will also see the relocation of the Valletta Police Station from St George's Square to the upper part of Valletta.

Later in a statement, the Culture Ministry said that the project will cost around €5 million.